Press Releases
The Silver Alert Grant Program Act, H.R. 5898, would provide U.S. states and territories with the means to implement an Amber Alert-like notification system to help families, friends and authorities locate missing older adults suffering from dementia-related illnesses. The bipartisan measure currently has 76 co-sponsors hailing from all ends of the political spectrum, including all of Florida's Congressional delegation.
The American Heroes' Homeownership Assistance Act would provide current and former service members who were deployed to a combat zone since 2001, including spouses of soldiers killed in action, with a one-time tax credit toward the purchase of a primary residence up to 10 percent of the purchase price, or $7,500.
Bilirakis and Putnam introduced the legislation in an effort to make homeownership more affordable for soldiers and their families who have suffered through the hardship of their combat service, regardless of income.
The press conference will be held on June 3rd at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mark Village located on 2655 Nebraska Avenue in Palm Harbor, Fla.
Although Florida has more people 65 and older than any other state, it has yet to implement a Silver Alert System. Florida State Representatives Tom Anderson (R-Dunedin) and Kurt Kelly (R-Ocala) will discuss planned efforts to introduce legislation for a Silver Alert system in Florida.
From August 1944 to March 1945, Staff Sergeant George Costage fought gallantly during thirty-five combat missions as a gunner in a B-24 bomber over occupied Continental Europe. Congressman Bilirakis worked with Costage to have his service record corrected to reflect his achievements in aerial combat over occupied Continental Europe during World War II.
The Fiscal Year 2009 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), H.R. 5658, authorizes $601.4 billion to support our national defense, including $70 billion to support troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, $2 billion for unfunded readiness initiatives requested by the services and $153.2 billion to meet the needs of service members and their families. The bill passed by a vote of 384 to 23.
Presented on Thursday at the 24th Annual Cyprus, Hellenic and Orthodox Issues Conference, the Livanos Award distinguishes Greek individuals who have worked for great achievements in society while remembering their Hellenic values.
Last week, the House failed to pass the emergency supplemental appropriations measure after the Majority voted to strip from the measure nearly $162.5 billion in funding for troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. While Bilirakis voted in favor of the troop funding portion of the three-part supplemental measure, he opposed the other two amendments that largely contained multi-billion dollars in domestic spending, a $54 billion tax increase aimed at small businesses, and restrictions on military commanders in Iraq.
Among the bills considered by the House on Tuesday was legislation providing for a cost-of-living adjustment for disabled veterans and the survivors of certain deceased veterans; an expansion of substance abuse treatments and services offered to veterans; improved veterans access to emergency care at non-VA facilities; and restrictions on courts from changing custody arrangements on service members supporting a military operation.
Congressman Bilirakis was honored with an "A in English" Award by U.S. English, Inc. for his dedication to preserving the unifying role of the English language in the United States, particularly for his votes and co-sponsorships of official English legislation in the 110th Congress. Bilirakis received "A" grades on the U.S. English, Inc. legislative scorecard for the 110th Congress.
The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Authorization and Lease Act, H.R. 5856, would provide leasing authority to the VA for up to 20 years and authorize nearly $13 million in Fiscal Year 2009 for a new 50,000 square-foot multi-specialty outpatient clinic in the city of Brandon, Fla. and a new 100,000 square-foot primary care offsite facility for the James A. Haley VA Medical Center (VAMC) in Tampa, Fla.